Spring has sprung for Toowoomba residents

Flower power and butterflies have beautified a maintenance ute decorated by the Bolton Clarke Westhaven retirement living community for the Grand Central Floral Parade last Saturday. 

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a celebration of flowers as well as food, wine, and all things spring! Features will include the huge street parade from 10am departing from the corner of Herries and Hume Streets.  

The resident art and craft group has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring their float to life which will be showcased to thousands of visitors to the region.

Artist Dorothy Sherratt, 92, is excited to display her artwork to the community.

“We’ve worked hard, and we’re knee-deep in the flowers,” she said.

“Everybody says the homemade butterflies are beautiful.

“They’ve got some sparkle on them too.

“I did it mostly myself and I had to draw them up first with some had their wings closed and others had them open.

“We made six small ones and one big one featuring blues, purples, oranges and greens.

“Each colour was hand painted on fabric which I backed with cardboard and I am happy with the result.

“They’ll look great when they’re mounted on the vehicle.”

Dorothy said the festival brings life to her hometown.

“It is such a lovely city with lovely open spaces and lovely gardens everywhere,” she said.

“It is a celebration of our surrounds and it brings in so many visitors, so The Carnival of Flowers is good for the town.”

“It is such a lovely city with lovely open spaces and lovely gardens everywhere.

“It is a celebration of our surrounds and it brings in so many visitors, so The Carnival of Flowers is good for the town.”

The art and craft group meet every Tuesday, with Dorothy keen to grow the group.

“We want to boost numbers,” she said.

“Art keeps you alive, keeps your brain active and keeps you young.

“I’ve been involved in art all my life.

“My father was an artist he gave me my first lesson, so I’ve grown up with it

“It’s been my life really.”

Dorothy has taught art and craft to many different audiences.

“I did four years at art college and gained a diploma plus I have taught craft for a long time to all sorts of people from children to grownups,” she said.

“I taught disabled people too and I loved that group.  

“I also spent two years teaching at TAFE in Fiji and had a group in literacy as well.”